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bsdThe broken glass at a time of great joy. The sound of a cry as a baby is born.Seems like within great joy there is also some pain.We always need a balance to truly venture higher. Have a good one; h

GMW, Yiron 2004: This bottle, as opposed to the '05 I opened last night of Pesach, was well-stored for many years and it shows! Not only it was alive, it could even still hold well another year or so! Actually Stacey was the one who conviced me to open it by announcing the good news not long before candle lightning.Dark garnet and throwing some sediments, this wine features on the nose at this stage crushed forest berries, cigar box and milk chocolate. Full-bodied with on the palate layers upon layers of forest berries, sweet tobacco, licorice, lead pencil, juicy plums and cherries, incredibly bracing acid (blew me away at this age) a little hint of tar and plush chocolate with silky tannins rising on the long, persistent finish as the wine develops in the glass. Great bottle and no regrets for having cellared it until now.

Shabbat lunch:

Gvaot, Gofna, Chardonnay-Gewürztraminer 2010: This odd blend was magnificent. 83% Chardonnay that was aged for 6 months in new oak casks prior to blend it with 17% Gewürztraminer that was fermented and aged exclusively in stainless steel vats. Rogov described it as barely off-dry but it was completely dry for me. Bright gold with a slightly green taint, on the nose bursting butter and toasted brioche along tropical fruits such as guava, mango but baked apple as well. Medium-bodied, perhaps medium to full, the palate offers a wide array of tropical, citrus and stone fruits, including the same as on the nose but also peaches and lemons with bright acid and a delicious buttery creaminess supporting sll that from the first attack towards the long finish, all working well together to feature an harmonious balance between the oak, acidity and fruit. Perhaps the best white wine I've tasted so far from this winery and quite a unique one indeed, a delight. Might age well a few more years.

Gvaot, Herodion, Vineyard Dance 2011: As always, a classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a respectable 25% Petit Verdot and aged 12 months in oak barrels. Royal purple with on the nose green bell peppers, wet freshly cut off wood, black berries, cassis and cedar. Medium to full-bodied with on the palate cassis and blackberries with still plenty of green notes, black licorice, earthy minerals, graphite, a hint of sweet cedar and spicy vanilla, very good acid but very soft tannins that rise on the moderate finish.Nowhere near the 2010 as to its concentration yet very approachable despite the very prominent green notes at this stage. Reminded me of some good French Bordeaux.

Fri Night - Four Gates PN Cuvee D - interesting wine. On pouring into the glass was almost effervescent, but settled down and ended up being very enjoyable. Saved a third of the bottle for last night and it was much smoother with deep almost woody flavors (not oaky) but nice, if shorter, finish.Sat Lunch - Back to beer after pesach, a Gouden Carolus Tripel. On the sweeter side for a Tripel, but very good.

Fri Night- Bottle 1: Adir Shiraz, soft & gentle but with a long lasting flavor, great value for £.Bottle 2: Peraj petita 09, can never go wrong with this wine, good body well rounded and fantastic value.

Hagafen Zinfandel 2005 - Flavorful, yet not big, this is the kind of red I like for regular drinking. The fruit is brambly and backed up by some tannin. The body is medium, the flavors robust but in now way jammy, and the tannins are present but not aggressive. Although I like it, it lacks the complexity I felt in the '04 vintage I had yesterday, one that had layers of licorice, cocoa and chocolate interacting with the fruit, and one that was more nuanced than the '05. B/**/Y

Four Gates Cuvee D: B+/** This is a tough wine to rate. It definitely has its flaws: oxidation, heat, and volatile acidity, but it definitely has its charms--particularly if you appreciate mature wine. I personally like it but many won't.

Landsman Zin: A-/** I'm impressed at the unique stylistic character that comes through loud and clear on the Landsman wines. Although Zin couldn't be a more different varietal than Pinot, the wines have a clear familial resemblance. Delightful blue notes and nice fresh, fruity sweetness. Not at all complex but really bright varietal fruit.

I wasn't able to have a non-mevushal wine at the table on shabbos, so I didn't bother. A bit of a shame because I have a teperberg riesling I was thinking of opening.

It was my wife's birthday on Sunday, so we shared a 375ml bottle of Gamla sparkling wine we bought some time ago for just such an occasion. She's pregnant, so she only takes the tiniest of sips, and I'm not keen on finishing off a full bottle of bubbly by myself. The size worked out well. Its an excellent sparkling wine. Advertises 50% PN and 50% chard. It's very fruity and gives the impression of residual sugar, despite there being none.

The Ottawa wine selection, while often having a limited "something for everyone" seems to lack a dry sparkling wine for those occasions that call for one. They used to bring in a Spanish Adar, but I haven't seen it in a while.

It was my wife's birthday on Sunday, so we shared a 375ml bottle of Gamla sparkling wine we bought some time ago for just such an occasion. She's pregnant, so she only takes the tiniest of sips, and I'm not keen on finishing off a full bottle of bubbly by myself. The size worked out well. Its an excellent sparkling wine. Advertises 50% PN and 50% chard. It's very fruity and gives the impression of residual sugar, despite there being none. Adam

It was my wife's birthday on Sunday, so we shared a 375ml bottle of Gamla sparkling wine we bought some time ago for just such an occasion. She's pregnant, so she only takes the tiniest of sips, and I'm not keen on finishing off a full bottle of bubbly by myself. The size worked out well. Its an excellent sparkling wine. Advertises 50% PN and 50% chard. It's very fruity and gives the impression of residual sugar, despite there being none. Adam

Is this a vintage or non vintage blend? Is it shmitta?

That's the Gamla/Gilgal Brut. Indeed not bad at all. Likely not shmitta, NV.

Hey Adam, I wish you were around when I got stuck in Ottawa for shabos last summer when my flight was cancelled. No one could tell me where to get decent wine, so I ended up getting some crap for kidush and drinking beer instead.

Elie Poltorak wrote:Hey Adam, I wish you were around when I got stuck in Ottawa for shabos last summer when my flight was cancelled. No one could tell me where to get decent wine, so I ended up getting some crap for kidush and drinking beer instead.

Hi Elie,

I was most definitely here last summer. If you ever find yourself stuck in Ottawa please contact me through this forum or through my shul, www.ohevyisroel.ca and you will be welcome for all meals, and, of course, decent wine.

This open invitation goes to all members of this forum who find themselves stuck in Ottawa for shabbos